The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA

Homepage

Related Photos

  • Jim Collum, foreground, and other students work on light saber skills during a Golden Gate Knights class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(1).jpg

  • Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Bloch, right, teaches during class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(3).jpg

  • Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Bloch, left, and Gary Ripper, dressed as Darth Vader, demonstrate light saber moves during class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(2).jpg

  • Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Bloch teaches during class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(4).jpg

  • Student Aaron Cheng jumps over a light saber swung by fellow student Starshine Medeiros during a Golden Gate Knights class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(5).jpg

  • Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Bloch teaches during class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(7).jpg

  • Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Block sorts through light sabers for students before class in San Francisco, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

    Light Saber Class_Denn(6).jpg

Discussion

February 21, 2013

GALLERY | Star Wars fans feel the Force at lightsaber class

Haven Daley Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO — A group of San Francisco Star Wars fans who want to travel to a galaxy not that far away have created a combat choreography class for Jedis-in-training with their weapon of choice: the lightsaber.

At a recent class, Alain Bloch, the self-proclaimed Jedi Master at Golden Gate Knights, demonstrated a slicing technique. He has a background in martial arts and stage combat.

"Always be mindful of the presence!" he said, donning a Luke Skywalker outfit and a green lightsaber.

With Star Wars movie music coursing through the dance studio, his disciples clutch their neon-glowing lightsabers.

These self-proclaimed "Star Wars geeks" slice and parry as they follow Bloch's lead, and get a little exercise, too.

People in a recent class in the city's South of Market district, including a couple on a date, said they embraced their quirkiness and had even converted some of the skeptical into the "Jedi order."

"At first they giggle because they think it's a little silly. Then they're like, actually that's kind of cool," said Julio Reyes, a student. "Then they start asking more questions."

Not all Jedis-in-training are rooting for the good guys. Some came to embrace "the dark side of the force."

"I just love Vader, period," said the Darth Vader-clad student Gary Ripper. "Just his voice, the way he moved, the power of him. I just liked the powerfulness of him."

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Tribune-Democrat News Slideshow
Latest News
  • Windber men vying for post

    Two Windber men want to fill the seat being vacated in December by a longtime local district judge.
    With now-Senior District Judge Joseph Cannoni’s term expiring at year’s end, attorney William E. Seger, 52, and William Telek, 56, a senior construction inspector for the turnpike, will face off in a May primary race that could repeat itself again this fall.

    May 20, 2013

  • memorial_day.JPG Observances slated for Memorial Day

    The men and women who have kept this nation free will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies in the area.
    Inside are Memorial Day observances are scheduled for May 27.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • a_scout_for_e_company.JPG Vet’s war story is put into words

    “A Scout for E Company 1944: The Story of PFC Gene Wentz,” by Daniel Felix of Mechanicsburg, has been released in time for Memorial Day.
    Felix, who is a semiretired educator, wrote his first book about his father-in-law, who lives in Martinsburg.
    He wanted to tell Wentz’s story because he has realized that so many World War II veterans are dying without sharing their memories.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • pow_20.JPG Person of the Week | A stand-up guy: Hoops star defends friend against classmates’ bullying

    When Greater Johnstown High School basketball star Phillip Madison saw some bullies teasing his autistic friend, he stopped them by defending his classmate.
    That noble action influenced other students to join Phillip’s quest to see fairness prevail by casting aside the actions of the bullies.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • 15-year-old killed during race at Bedford Co. track

    A 15-year-old boy was killed Saturday after crashing his four-wheeler at a Bedford County bike track.

    May 19, 2013

Local News
  • Windber men vying for post

    Two Windber men want to fill the seat being vacated in December by a longtime local district judge.
    With now-Senior District Judge Joseph Cannoni’s term expiring at year’s end, attorney William E. Seger, 52, and William Telek, 56, a senior construction inspector for the turnpike, will face off in a May primary race that could repeat itself again this fall.

    May 20, 2013

  • memorial_day.JPG Observances slated for Memorial Day

    The men and women who have kept this nation free will be honored during Memorial Day ceremonies in the area.
    Inside are Memorial Day observances are scheduled for May 27.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • a_scout_for_e_company.JPG Vet’s war story is put into words

    “A Scout for E Company 1944: The Story of PFC Gene Wentz,” by Daniel Felix of Mechanicsburg, has been released in time for Memorial Day.
    Felix, who is a semiretired educator, wrote his first book about his father-in-law, who lives in Martinsburg.
    He wanted to tell Wentz’s story because he has realized that so many World War II veterans are dying without sharing their memories.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • pow_20.JPG Person of the Week | A stand-up guy: Hoops star defends friend against classmates’ bullying

    When Greater Johnstown High School basketball star Phillip Madison saw some bullies teasing his autistic friend, he stopped them by defending his classmate.
    That noble action influenced other students to join Phillip’s quest to see fairness prevail by casting aside the actions of the bullies.

    May 19, 2013 1 Photo

  • 15-year-old killed during race at Bedford Co. track

    A 15-year-old boy was killed Saturday after crashing his four-wheeler at a Bedford County bike track.

    May 19, 2013

Sports
Hawkins B1.JPG

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrew Hawkins (16) runs past Dallas Cowboys outside linebacker Anthony Spencer (93) for an 8-yard touchdown after catching a pass in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Michael Keating)

Features
Lifestyles
Multimedia
Featured Ads
Facebook
Fuel Finder
Tribune-Democrat News Videos
Front page
Front page
Poll

Do we have too many economic development agencies in our area?

Yes, they end up fighting over the same money
No, our region needs all of the help it can get
I'm not sure
     View Results
Follow us on Twitter
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
House Ads
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
Order Photos


Photo Slideshow

Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
Hyperlocal Search
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide